MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES Wednesday, June 14, 2000 2 p.m. Senate Chamber ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Human Services was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Chris Harris Senator John Carona, Vice Chair Senator David Bernsen Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted. The chair laid out the April 19, 2000, minutes and called for revisions. There being none, Senator Carona moved their approval. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair made opening remarks and announced that the purpose of the hearing was to adopt recommendations submitted to the Senate Committee on Human Services regarding interim charges issued by Lt. Governor Rick Perry. The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource witnesses regarding the continuum of care and support options available to Texans in need of long-term care and the implementation of SB 374 by Senator Judith Zaffirini and Representative Patricia Gray, relating to the provision of certain long-term care services, to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department on Aging, and to the eventual consolidation of the Texas Department of Human Services and the Texas Department on Aging into a new agency on aging and disability services. The following persons served as resource witnesses: Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas 78711-3247. Eric Bost, commissioner, Texas Department of Human Services, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9030. Don Henderson, legislative liaison, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78711-2668. Susan Penfield, Children with Special Health Needs Division, Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756. Mary Sapp, executive director, Texas Department on Aging, 4900 North Lamar, Austin, Texas 78756. David Durden, associate commissioner, governmental relations, Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9104. The chair laid out long-term care consensus recommendations 1-24. CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS Written Motion No. 1 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature direct the Texas Department of Human Services to conduct a new time study/ recalculation of the TILE or other case-mix system for Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement to better account for varying resource needs of nursing home residents. Written Motion No. 2 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would establish a temporary license for facility operators going through the change of ownership process. Written Motion No. 3 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Texas Department of Human Services to maintain a list of operators with excellent regulatory records to be made available in a change of ownership situation. Written Motion No. 4 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would allow the Texas Department of Human Services, at the request of a facility owner, to conduct architectural reviews prior to the construction or remodeling of nursing facilities. Written Motion No. 5 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would add direct care staff employed by home health agencies, the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, local community mental health and mental retardation centers and other providers, as appropriate, to the list of employees covered by the Texas Department of Human Services Employee Misconduct Registry. Written Motion No. 6 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would establish a long-term care local access fund, to be administered by the Health and Human Services Commission, to support local initiatives to improve access to long-term care services. The commission should prioritize initiatives that utilize Internet technologies to provide information, referral and assessment for local services. Written Motion No. 7 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would require the Department of Insurance to produce and disseminate a consumer guide to long-term care insurance that includes information regarding the history of prices charged by insurance companies for long-term care insurance. Written Motion No. 8 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would establish joint training for health and human service agency caseworkers to increase their awareness and knowledge of the services available to children within their agency and among other agencies. Written Motion No. 9 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Health and Human Services Commission to investigate "shared parenting," "extend-a-family" and "friends of the family" concepts in other states' systems of foster care for children with special health care needs outside of protective and regulatory agencies. Written Motion No. 10 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature direct the Health and Human Services Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of the Medicaid nursing facility rate methodology to incentivize increased direct care staffing and consider the feasibility of additional incentives to improve quality of care and quality of life for residents. Written Motion No. 11 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature increase funding for Medicaid nursing facility reimbursements. Written Motion No. 12 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature increase funding for the full range of home and community-based services, including adult day care, home health services, respite services, attendant care and other services. Written Motion No. 13 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would include routine preventive dental services to nursing home residents as basic services under the Texas Medicaid program, contingent upon federal waiver approval. Written Motion No. 14 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would provide tuition assistance for licensed vocational nursing students who agree to practice in long-term care settings. Written Motion No. 15 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would revamp the criminal history background check process for long-term care employees by expanding the number of employees covered under such requirements and expediting access to background information. Written Motion No. 16 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would clarify the appropriate admissibility of Texas Department of Human Services survey documents in civil lawsuits against nursing facilities. Written Motion No. 17 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would allow for-profit nursing facilities to purchase liability insurance from the Joint Underwriting Association. Written Motion No. 18 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would expand housing options for the elderly and people with disabilities by establishing a housing vouchers program at the Health and Human Services Commission for individuals moving from institutional to community care settings. Written Motion No. 19 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature direct the Health and Human Services Commission to consider a modeled rate for adult day care reimbursement with the possible inclusion of a case-mix reimbursement. Written Motion No. 20 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct health and human service agencies to make permanency planning procedures more consistent across agencies and facilities for children in institutions or considering placement in an institution. Written Motion No. 21 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would require appropriate health and human service agencies to implement procedures to ensure that people with disabilities (or their parents/guardians) residing in institutions or at risk of such a placement have access to information about the full range of care options and assistance in utilizing those options if they choose to do so. Written Motion No. 22 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would allow children with special health care needs, who would otherwise qualify for nursing home services, to qualify for Medicaid or equivalent benefits, to allow families to provide home care. Written Motion No. 23 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would revise the definition of abandonment to include cases where a family has placed a child in an institution, but has no further contact with the child. Written Motion No. 24 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would establish an advisory committee to develop a plan for dealing with emergency financial crises at institutions, particularly those serving large numbers of children, and address the problem of facilities with recurring violations. Senator Carona moved the adoption of long-term care consensus recommendations 1-24. Senator Gallegos seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair laid out long-term care member priority recommendations 25-30. MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS Written Motion No. 25 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would provide a franchise tax credit for employers that contribute to long-term care insurance for their employees, employees' spouses or parents, equal to 20 percent of the costs incurred by the employer, with a maximum credit of $5,000 or $100 for each employee covered by the plan, whichever is lower. Written Motion No. 26 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would provide a full range of administrative penalties for use by the state to sanction assisted living facilities that do not meet standards. Written Motion No. 27 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would establish guidelines for updated definitions and policies relating to restraints, seclusions and emergency medications in residential facilities (e.g., nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, ICF-MRs, assisted living centers and residential child care facilities). Written Motion No. 28 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature increase funding for Texas Department of Human Services audit staff to investigate the financial viability of nursing facilities. Written Motion No. 29 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature expand statewide the Community Alzheimer's Resource and Education program at the Texas Department of Human Services by adding four additional sites. Written Motion No. 30 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would modify the Primary Home Care (PHC) program at the Texas Department of Human Services to: C Allow three medications per month for Frail Elderly program recipients; C Allow greater nurse delegation of tasks to home health aides; C Allow presumptive eligibility reimbursement to speed the initiation of services for new clients. Senator Carona moved the adoption of long-term care member priority recommendations 25-30. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource witnesses regarding the services provided to hardest-to-serve adult welfare recipients and services provided to children receiving welfare. The following persons served as resource witnesses: Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas 78711-3247. Eric Bost, commissioner, Texas Department of Human Services, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9030. Diane Rath, commissioner, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 78778-0001. Patrick Bresette, associate director, Center for Public Policy Priorities, 900 Lydia Street, Austin, Texas 78702. The chair laid out welfare consensus recommendations 1-4. CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS Written Motion No. 1 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of Human Services and the Texas Workforce Commission to define hardship exemptions that adequately address hardship circumstances and barriers some clients may face exiting TANF prior to the time-limits running out. Written Motion No. 2 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would include state recognition of nonresidential family violence centers and authorize their funding with state appropriations to the Texas Department of Human Services for the Family Violence program. Written Motion No. 3 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Texas Department of Human Services and the Texas Workforce Commission to develop a cross-agency plan, especially at the local level, for identifying and addressing barriers to work among the hardest-to-serve clients. Written Motion No. 4 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Texas Department of Human Services to form an office standards workgroup (including legislative staff, advocates, service providers and stakeholders) to improve the TANF, Medicaid and Food Stamps eligibility, application and review processes at DHS by: a) reviewing client communication; b) establishing uniform standards across DHS regions; c) reviewing Food Stamp error rate reduction measures; d) developing comprehensive performance measures; e) exploring the use of extended hours based on regional needs; and f) reviewing TANF policy for counting resources. The legislation should direct the Department of Human Services to implement recommendations of the workgroup, where appropriate, and report to the legislature on the findings of the workgroup. Senator Carona moved the adoption of welfare consensus recommendations 1-4. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair laid out welfare member priority recommendations 5-14. MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS Written Motion No. 5 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human Services to implement a new screening/assessment process, based on a review of best practices, to help identify clients with highest level of need and barriers to work. The screening/assessment process is to be used to improve case management, referral to community-based services and to help local workforce contractors design appropriate employability plans and support services. Written Motion No. 6 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would require the Texas Department of Human Services, the local workforce boards and the Texas Workforce Commission staff to have a minimum of four hours training about domestic violence and its impact on the ability of TANF clients to meet requirements. Written Motion No. 7 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human Services and the Texas Workforce Commission to create incentives for local offices that design and implement effective case management tools for identifying hardest-to-serve clients and addressing their needs. Written Motion No. 8 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Texas Workforce Commission to: C develop a Choices incentive program that encourages placement of TANF clients in higher wage jobs by local workforce board contractors; develop program guidelines for local workforce boards on post-employment services that recognize the difficulty many working clients will have in acquiring additional education and training once they are employed; and encourage local workforce boards to provide post-employment case management for the hardest-to-serve clients. Written Motion No. 9 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human Services, in conjunction with imposing any family-related sanction in the TANF program, to: C investigate why a family is being sanctioned, determine what resources could assist the family in meeting requirements, make appropriate referrals and follow up with local support services; and develop a services strategy, to be implemented at the local level, for addressing the needs of children in TANF families. Written Motion No. 10 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human Services to: C revise the TANF vehicle resource limit to exclude the value of one vehicle when determining a family's assets; define "TANF-related" services or programs, such as resource and referral services, and allow families with vehicles above the Food Stamp resource limit who qualify for these services to also qualify for Food Stamps under expanded federal "categorical eligibility" rules; and if federal legislation is enacted that gives states the option to exclude the value of one vehicle for the purposes of the Food Stamp asset test for all Food Stamp recipients, exercise that option. Written Motion No. 11 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Department of Human Services to: C eliminate face-to-face requirements and allow mail-in eligibility or telephone re-certification for children's Medicaid; and eliminate the assets test for children's Medicaid. Written Motion No. 12 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Department of Human Services to adopt 12-month continuous eligibility for children's Medicaid. Written Motion No. 13 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human Services to develop a plan to roll out the Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) pilot project to all regions over a 7 year period, with the statewide roll-out to occur only if the data collected from the current sites indicates a positive effect on the employment outcomes of current and former TANF recipients served by this project. Written Motion No. 14 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Department of Human Services to: C allow phone-in recertification for Food Stamp clients who are working or in job training; and require only one face-to-face DHS office interview annually for these clients. Senator Carona moved the adoption of welfare member priority recommendations 5-14. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource witnesses regarding federal developments related to long-term care and welfare issues. The following persons served as resource witnesses: Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas 78711-3247. Eric Bost, commissioner, Texas Department of Human Services, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9030. Diane Rath, commissioner, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 7877-0001. Kathy Eckstein, team manager, Federal Funds, Legislative Budget Board, P.O. Box 12666, Austin, Texas 78733. Patrick Bresette, associate director, Center for Public Policy Priorities, 900 Lydia Street, Austin, Texas 78702. The chair laid out federal developments relating to long-term care and welfare consensus recommendations 1-4. CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS Written Motion No. 1 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would: C endorse the process utilized by the "Promoting Independence" plan to direct HHSC and HHS agencies to ensure the appropriate care setting for people with disabilities; C direct agencies to ensure that such efforts provide for timely and appropriate transfer of consumers from institutional to community placements and prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of those in the community who are at imminent risk; and C require HHSC to report on the status of implementation to the legislature and make recommendations for needed statutory and appropriation action. Written Motion No. 2 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human Services to impose a greater penalty for non-compliance with the child support program for families of seven or more for a single parent and six or more for two-parent families. Written Motion No. 3 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature increase funding for childcare for current and former TANF clients, including infant care, weekends, shift hours and other services. Written Motion No. 4 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Texas Department of Human Services to utilize TANF maintenance-of-effort (MOE) funds for assistance and services to two-parent families. Senator Carona moved the adoption of federal developments relating to long-term care and welfare consensus recommendations 1-4. Senator Gallegos seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair laid out federal developments relating to long-term care and welfare member priority recommendations 5-9. MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS Written Motion No. 5 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would: C maintain a $25 financial penalty for 6 months for a drug or alcohol-related misdemeanor conviction; allow TANF/Food Stamp clients with non-trafficking drug felonies who have completed any sentencing, are in compliance with parole/probation and are participating in or have completed a subtance abuse treatment to receive assistance; and place limits on how many times such clients may access benefits. Written Motion No. 6 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would expand transitional supports for those leaving welfare to work to include ongoing educational opportunities, job coaching, emergency assistance, transportation assistance, housing-related supports, health care, better access to child care and other supports. Written Motion No. 7 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human Services and the Texas Workforce Commission to: C require all adults receiving cash assistance to participate in work activities within 24 months; design activities to meet the needs of those clients with significant and continuing barriers to work; and continue assistance for those unable to work within the 24-month deadline if barriers to work persist. Written Motion No. 8 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would define allowable work activities for TANF recipients. Written Motion No. 9 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Department of Human Services to continue to provide an additional six months of transitional Medicaid benefits to exempted Choices volunteers. Senator Carona moved the adoption of federal developments relating to long-term care and welfare member priority recommendations 5-9. Senators Bernsen and Gallegos seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource witnesses regarding the implementation of HB 2641 by Representative Patricia Gray and Senator J.E. "Buster" Brown, relating to the continuation and functions of the Health and Human Services Commission. The following person served as a resource witness: Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas 78711-3247. The chair laid out HB 2641 member priority recommendation 1. MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION Written Motion No. 1 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Health and Human Services Commission to submit advance copies of official submissions to the federal government regarding waiver applications and state plan amendments to the House Public Health, House Human Services, Senate Health Services and Senate Human Services Committees. Senator Carona moved the adoption of HB 2641 member priority recommendation 1. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource witnesses regarding the effects of additional resources provided to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. The following persons served as a resource witnesses: Karen Eells, deputy director of programs, Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9030. Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission,, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas 78711-3247. Senator Gallegos moved that the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services provide the Senate Committee on Human Services with a report about what the agency is doing to address the issue of abandoned babies in Harris County. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair laid out PRS consensus recommendations 1-12. CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS Written Motion No. 1 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would extend Medicaid or other health care funding options for foster children until age 21. Written Motion No. 2 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would increase the subsidy given to adoptive families who adopt children with special needs. Written Motion No. 3 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory services to increase unannounced inspections of child care facilities designated as high risk. Written Motion No. 4 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature increase funding for a statewide Department of Protective and Regulatory Services respite care program based on the department's respite care pilot. Written Motion No. 5 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would include Department of Protective and Regulatory Services registered drop-in day care centers in the training requirements for child care providers. Written Motion No. 6 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature increase funding to expand Department of Protective and Regulatory Services home visiting services and offer a menu of programs based on identified community need and support. Written Motion No. 7 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to add child abuse prevention information to the posters displayed at business organizations providing child care. Written Motion No. 8 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct appropriate institutions of higher education and state agencies to report to the legislature and the Health and Human Services Commission about efforts to serve children age zero to three and recommendations to enhance collaboration and coordination of these efforts. Written Motion No. 9 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Texas Education Agency to amend current rules requiring teachers to report child abuse and neglect by adding a requirement to inform teachers about how to recognize child abuse and neglect. Written Motion No. 10 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would direct the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services and the Texas Education Agency to collaborate to include child abuse prevention and awareness information in the state's education curriculum for students. Written Motion No. 11 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that would direct the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services and the Children's Trust Fund to develop and implement an infant mortality prevention education program throughout the state using persons and organizations with specific experience, such as the Child Fatality Review Teams or the SIDS Alliance. Written Motion No. 12 I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation a statutory change that would expand the authority for the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to obtain criminal background information on certain applicants, employees, volunteers or persons living in an adoptive or foster home where a child in Child Protective Services conservatorship will reside. Senator Carona moved the adoption of PRS consensus recommendations 1-12. Senator Gallegos seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The chair laid out PRS member priority recommendation 13. MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION Written Motion No. 13 I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature increase funding to the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services for drug testing to verify client, relative or household member use or non-use of controlled substances; and adult treatment, assessment and drug screenings. Senator Carona moved the adoption of PRS member priority recommendation 13. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. With no other business to come before the committee and upon a motion by Senator Carona, the chair recessed the committee by unanimous consent at 2:26 p.m., subject to the call of the chair. ___________________________________ Judith Zaffiirni, Chair ___________________________________ Scott Caffey, Committee Clerk